Commendations for EEAST team who saved extremely premature baby

Emergency responders from the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) have been recognised for saving the lives of an extremely premature baby and his mother.

Emergency responders from the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) have been recognised for saving the lives of an extremely premature baby and his mother.

EEAST CEO Tom Abell awarded the commendations to the six staff members who responded to the call in Chelmsford in February.

Clinical leads at EEAST described the treatment given to the baby boy, believed to be born at 26 weeks gestation, and his mother as “exemplary”.

Language barriers created a challenge getting a medical history which made the response even more worthy of praise.

Paramedic Rachel Watts was first on scene in a rapid response vehicle after being assigned the category 1 call by Chelmsford Emergency Operations Centre.

On arrival at the property, she was presented with a woman who had just given birth to a baby who was still in the amniotic sac.

Both required urgent medical attention as the mother was bleeding heavily and the baby’s size made it clear he was very premature.

Rachel worked between mother and baby while waiting for colleagues to arrive to support.

Emergency medical technicians Henry Quick and Taylor Robinson arrived in an ambulance shortly after and took over the care of the baby with newborn life support.

Further support arrived with senior paramedic and operations manager Kevin Higgins, followed by another crew with Mark Olive and Bethany Staff, an emergency medical technician and an apprentice emergency medical technician respectively.

The baby was conveyed into the hospital emergency department with ongoing respiratory support and transferred later to a specialist unit for extremely pre-term babies.

The mother was conveyed in the second ambulance to the same local hospital. She was able to be discharged from hospital a couple of days after admission and is doing well.

The baby has since being transferred back to the local hospital and continues to do well.

Tom Abell, Chief Executive of EEAST, said:

“It was a privilege to present the CEO commendations and hear first-hand the team’s experiences of a very challenging and emotive job.

“Their remarkable actions led to an excellent outcome for baby and mother and they are well deserving of the commendations.”

Daimon Wheddon, clinical lead for maternity at EEAST, said:

“The decision making and clinical management of mother and baby was exemplary and led to an excellent outcome.

“This is why the clinical team for maternity wanted all involved to receive CEO commendation as recognition.”

Kevin Higgins, leading operations manager based at Chelmsford Ambulance Station, said:

“It is a privilege to work alongside such dedicated clinicians. The team worked together to deliver high quality patient care and contribute toward the positive outcome for mother and baby.

“Our thanks to the staff for the support received at the Mid and South Essex hospital on ambulance arrival. The team are delighted to hear both patients are doing well.”